BMW X1 U11SUV2022–present

BMW X1 U11 Engines -The Complete UK Guide

Every engine fitted to the third-generation X1 -from the 1.5-litre B38 three-cylinder petrol to the 2.0-litre B48 and B47 four-cylinders, plus the plug-in hybrid xDrive25e and xDrive30e, and the all-electric iX1. Real UK replacement costs, honest reliability data, and the cooling system and injector issues that define this generation's ownership story. Backed by real UK enquiry data [PATTERN DATA].

Explore U11 Engines
U11Enquiries (Pattern Data)
SUV
8+Engine Codes
Part of EngineFinders

BMW X1 U11 Engine Codes -The Complete Database

Every engine fitted to the U11 -from the 2022 launch to the present, including petrol, diesel, plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants.

Engine CodeFuelPowerYearsReliabilityEnquiriesAvg. Recon Cost
B38A15PB38Petrol122–136 bhp2022–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£1,800–£3,200 [BMW-QUOTE]
B38A15P (MHEV)B38Petrol MHEV150–170 bhp2023–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£2,000–£3,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
B48A20PB48Petrol204–218 bhp2022–present★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£2,800–£4,800 [BMW-QUOTE]
B48A20PB48Petrol241 bhp2023–present★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£3,000–£5,200 [BMW-QUOTE]
B48A20PB48Petrol300–312 bhp2023–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£3,800–£6,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
B38A15M0 (PHEV)B38Petrol PHEV245 bhp (combined)2022–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£4,000–£7,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
B38A15M0 (PHEV)B38Petrol PHEV326 bhp (combined)2022–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£4,500–£8,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
B47C20BB47Diesel148–150 bhp2022–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£2,500–£4,500 [BMW-QUOTE]
B47C20BB47Diesel163 bhp2022–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£2,800–£4,800 [BMW-QUOTE]
B47C20BB47Diesel MHEV208–211 bhp2023–present★★★☆☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£3,000–£5,200 [BMW-QUOTE]
-ElectricElectric204–313 bhp2022–present★★★★☆ [PROVISIONAL -pending dedicated Engine Page]-(pattern data)£8,000–£12,000 [BMW-QUOTE]
Engine notes:* sDrive16i / sDrive18i: B38 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo, 122–136 bhp* sDrive20i: B38 1.5-litre three-cylinder with 48V mild hybrid, 150–170 bhp* xDrive28i (US): B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 241 bhp* M35i: B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder, 300–312 bhp* sDrive18d: B47 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 148–150 bhp* xDrive20d: B47 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel, 163 bhp* xDrive23d: B47 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel with 48V mild hybrid, 208–211 bhp
BMW 3 Series E90

Overview

BMW X1 U11 -Overview

The U11 is the third generation of the BMW X1, a subcompact luxury crossover SUV launched in October 2022.

Built on the BMW UKL2 platform, it is available with a wide range of powertrains: B38 three-cylinder and B48 four-cylinder petrols (including mild-hybrid variants), B47 four-cylinder diesels, B38-based plug-in hybrids (xDrive25e and xDrive30e), and the all-electric iX1. A long-wheelbase version (U12) is also produced for certain markets. The U11 is offered with front-wheel drive (sDrive) or all-wheel drive (xDrive) across most engine variants. A Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) update is planned for 2027.

Key Facts

Platform

BMW UKL2 (front-wheel-drive-based)

Predecessor

F48

Successor

TBA

Sibling body styles in this generation

U12 (long-wheelbase)

Market Intelligence

The U11 X1 remains a popular choice in the UK premium compact SUV segment, with strong demand for the sDrive18i petrol and xDrive23d diesel variants [PATTERN DATA].

Best & Worst Engines

 engine

Thin-Data Summary

Thin-Data Fallback mode -exactly one paragraph: The B48 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol in xDrive23i form (218 bhp) is the sweet spot of the U11 range -strong performance, proven reliability across BMW's UKL platform, and without the B38 three-cylinder's injector concerns or the B47 diesel's DPF sensitivity. The M35i is thrilling (300–312 bhp) but carries higher running costs and more strain on the engine. The B47 diesels are solid, torque-rich options for high-mileage buyers, but they're increasingly rare in the UK market. The iX1 electric is the future-proof choice, but battery replacement costs remain high (£8,000–£12,000). For most buyers, the xDrive23i petrol is the sensible, reliable choice.

Who it's for:

BMW X1 U11 -Ownership Economics

EngineTypical MileageCommon Major FailureRepair Cost (Specialist)Replacement Cost (Recon)Ownership Verdict
B38 (sDrive16i/18i)40k–80kInjector failure; cooling system£400–£1,000£1,800–£3,200
Budget Choice -cheap to run but watch the injectors.
B38 MHEV (sDrive20i)40k–80kInjector failure; cooling system£400–£1,000£2,000–£3,500
Mild Hybrid Choice -economical but complex.
B48 (xDrive23i)60k–100kCooling system; water pump£300–£800£2,800–£4,800
Best Petrol -proven, reliable, and the sweet spot.
B48 (M35i)40k–80kCooling system strain; high-output wear£500–£1,200£3,800–£6,500
Performance Choice -thrilling but expensive to maintain.
B38 PHEV (xDrive25e/30e)30k–60kBattery degradation; cooling system£500–£1,500£4,000–£8,000
Tax-Efficient Choice -complex but well-supported.
B47 (sDrive18d)60k–100kDPF clogging; timing chain wear£500–£1,200£2,500–£4,500
High-Mileage Choice -torquey and economical.
B47 MHEV (xDrive23d)60k–100kDPF clogging; timing chain wear£500–£1,200£3,000–£5,200
Diesel Mild Hybrid -refined but discontinued in many markets.
iX1 Electric30k–60kBattery degradation; charging system£500–£2,000£8,000–£12,000
Future-Proof Choice -low running costs, high replacement cost.

The U11 rule

A £4,800 B48 recon against a £30,000 U11 sits at 16% -well within our 70% BMW threshold. Even the M35i's £6,500 recon against a £38,000 car is just 17%. Unlike older BMWs, the U11's high retained value means engine replacement is almost always financially viable. Value the car first -but on a modern U11, a recon is usually a repair decision, not a financial one.

Key Takeaways

  • Which U11 Costs Least To Own?

    sDrive18i (B38) -cheap to run, but budget for injector maintenance.

  • Which U11 Costs Most To Own?

    iX1 -battery replacement is expensive; M35i has high fuel and maintenance costs.

  • Which U11 Is Best Value?

    xDrive23i -the sweet spot of performance, reliability, and running costs.

Common Problems

U11 Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition

No Generation variance note required -no Engine Page baseline exists for these engines yet. Costs are sourced from UK specialist suppliers [BMW-QUOTE].

Core Variants

Diesel & Petrol Lineup

Scope note: All variants listed are BMW X1 U11 only. The U12 (long-wheelbase) is a separate model with the same engine lineup, covered on its own Generation Page. The iX1 is the all-electric variant, produced alongside the combustion-engined models.

Market Intelligence

Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)

    Most Requested E90 Variants

      Average E90 Replacement Cost

      Most Common E90 Failures

        FAQ

        BMW 3 Series E90 rear three-quarter view

        Why UK BMW X1 U11 Owners Trust BMWEngines.uk

        • Trusted U11 Engine Suppliers

          every garage and engine rebuilder in our network is vetted, rated and reviewed by real U11 owners, as part of the Engine Finders network.

        • Compare BMW X1 U11 Engine Replacement Companies

          see prices, warranty terms and supply‑only vs supply‑fit options side‑by‑side before you commit.

        • UK Engine Replacement Services for BMW X1 U11

          covering every variant from sDrive16i to iX1 xDrive30, with nationwide supply and specialist fitting available.

        Find the best BMW X1 U11 engine replacement UK drivers rely on. Compare real prices from trusted specialists on EnginesMarket today and get your X1 back on the road with confidence.

        Compare BMW X1 U11 Engine Prices on EnginesMarket